Family and Consumer Sciences Programs of Study
Meredith offers a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, a major that integrates areas of study from child development, foods and nutrition, clothing and textiles, and interior design.
Family and Consumer Sciences Mission
The mission of the Family and Consumer Sciences Program is to develop the knowledge, skills and practice of professionals whose work will be to be able to help individuals and families manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse, global society across the life span.
Goals of the Program
Upon completion of the Family and Consumer Sciences program, students will:
- Integrate knowledge from the disciplines of Human Environmental Sciences to promote the well-being of families, individuals, and communities;
- Promote the personal, social, and economic health of people;
- Utilize theories and research to balance personal, home, family, and work lives;
- Address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments;
- Apply appropriate technology to maximize human potential;
- Develop high standards of professional practice;
- Pursue further study through continuing education programs, leadership in the profession, community service, or graduate work.
Focus on Research and Leadership
Meredith’s Family and Consumer Sciences program encourages students to supplement their class work with participation in undergraduate research and in leadership roles in professional organizations.
Statewide and National Conferences
Meredith regularly sponsors student attendance at state and national conferences for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and the North CarolinaAssociation of Family and Consumer Sciences (NCAFCS).
Meredith College has an active student chapter of AAFCS, and our students frequently serve the organization as officers at the local, state and national level.
In fact, Meredith was the most represented school in undergraduate research presentation at a recent AAFCS conference.
Recent research presentations include
- “Comparison of Mother-Daughter Communication Factors to Daughter’s Attachment Style Preference,” presented at AAFCS annual meeting, June 2006.
- “Relationship of Family Nickname Practices Compared to Reported Levels of Family Cohesion,” presented at AAFCS annual meeting, June 2006 and NCAFCS annual meeting, March 2006.
- “Comparison of Affective Parenting, Familial Behavior Control and General Family Functioning to Levels of Alcohol Use,” presented at NCAFCS annual meeting, March 2006.
- “Factors Guiding Housing Decisions as Identified by 2004-05 Junior Class Members,” presented at NCAFCS annual meeting, March 2006.
- “Factors Guiding Housing Decisions as Identified by Students at a Single Gendered College,” presented at AAFCS annual meeting, June 2005.
- “Levels of Alcohol Use in College Female Students Compared to Affective Parenting, Familial Behavior Control and General Family Functioning,” presented at AAFCS annual meeting, June 2005.
- “Feminist: What Meaning Do Meredith College Students Bring to the “F” Word?,” presented at AAFCS annual meeting, June 2005.
- “Reasons for Cessation and Commencement of Smoking Cigarettes,” presented at AAFCS annual meeting, June 2005.
